It seems like lately everything I read stresses the importance of ‘being’.  What used to be words of only the enlightened masters has crept into all areas, including the business world.   The “do, do, do” mentality of the 80s and 90s has become “be, be, be” of the 2000s.

While I can sit and ‘be’ with the best of them, my practical side eventually rears its head saying, “with all this ‘being’, how do you ever get anything done?”  And so I pondered this question.

On an energetic level, ‘doing’ is an active, masculine energy, while ‘being’ is a passive, feminine energy.  Ultimately it is a balance (yin/yang) of these two energies that is optimal.  As a society, we are needing to balance as a whole and thus more feminine energies are permeating up from Mother Earth.

Putting the energy stuff aside for a second, I started to think back at all of the most pivotal times in my life… people, jobs, and situations.  I realized all of them just came to me or fell into my lap as opposed to my seeking it out.

Afterall, it is only when you are ‘being’ still that something can fall into your lap.”

Here is a personal example.

When I was graduating from law school and searching for my first law job, I sent out hundreds of resumes with not a single response. Then one evening at a law review reception, I saw my adjunct professor, who also happened to be a federal judge. Without even thinking about it, I walked up to him and asked if he knew of anyone hiring. He said, “Well, I am.” Within weeks, I was hired as his law clerk, which was far better than any of the jobs to which I had sent a resume. More importantly, he ended up being one of the most influential people in my life, which had nothing to do with law and everything to do with the meaning of life.

So you can see in my example where the delicate balance lies in ‘doing’ and ‘being’. I had enough active, doing energy to set an intention to get a law job (and to attend a boring law reception). From there, I was in a state of being waiting for the right opportunity and/or person to come along. And when it did, I listened to my inner voice and approached the Judge.

Sending out blind resumes was an example of too much ‘doing’. There is a huge difference between inspired action and busying yourself with activity to try to make things happen. Instead, by being present, you will be conscious and alert when those people or opportunities come along.

Think back on your most pivotal moments and use those as a template for finding your yin/yang balance point.

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Over the years as the East has met the West there has been an influx of spiritual teachings from Eastern religions and thought.  With this emergence, the idea of a guru has become more and more commonplace in our language and culture.   And it has predominantly been the Eastern gurus that have introduced to the West the ideas of enlightenment, self-realization, meditation, and zen.   Likewise, many have followed the guidance of a guru, i.e. become a student, in order to take a faster track towards enlightenment.   In fact, the Sanskrit word guru means “that which dispels darkness.”

When you imagine a guru, you may think of an 87-year old, bearded man with a thick accent.  But your guru may look very different.  Your guru may be your yoga instructor, therapist, minister, healer, or even a non-physical angel or guide.  Or your guru may be someone you’ve never even met, such as Eckhart Tolle or Deepak Chopra.   Either way, it is those people that have helped us along our journey of dispelling the dark to find the light.  And to them we say Thank You.

But there comes a time when we simply outgrow our guru.  For our guru is simply an outer reflection of that which already resides within us.   In other words, we have what they have and need their help in finding it within us.  That could simply be finding our “light” or “true essence” buried beneath the layers of darkness.  Or it could be a specific missing aspect of ourselves that we are seeking.   In fact, it is not unusual to unconsciously seek out a guru that represents something  that we are seemingly missing within ourselves similar to the way we attract romantic relationships into our life.  Thus the actual relationship with the guru can be as important as the teachings themselves. 

Once that aspect has been healed or one has reached a point where the inner guru is a match to the external guru, there is no longer a need for the external guru.  Continuing the teacher-student relationship beyond this point can actually become a hindrance to one’s growth.  Likewise, ending the relationship can be the most difficult and rewarding opportunity for personal growth (for the teacher and student).  At that point it is time to find a new guru that is a new match, or to simply become your own guru.  In fact, our true guru is not a person but a principle that resides in your own heart.  This inner guru will guide you to the person to whom will assist you on your journey and/or it will simply guide you.  In Sanskrit, this principle is called the upaguru, or “the teacher within.” 

The benefits of the teacher-student relationship can be extremely beneficial to our personal growth and cannot be understated.  For this reason, it has become entrenched in the Eastern spiritual traditions and spreading through the West.   But it is important to note that even in such a case it is the upaguru at work guiding one to find that teacher.   And a true spiritual teacher knows that the upaguru is our ultimate guide to which we should ultimately and permanently connect, not them.  So honor and be grateful for the teachers that come into your life.  But know that your greatest teacher is your inner guru.  And so honor and be grateful to yourself as well. 

Namaste.

I was recently reading Napolean Hill’s classic, Think and Grow Rich, and was instantly struck by the fact that it was written in 1937…a time not to unlike our current economic landscape. Napolean Hill wrote this book as a result of studying and interviewing the 500 richest men at that time. He found that they all had one thing in common. That one thing became known as The Secret. The Secret, which has reinvented itself into the mainstream via New Age proponents, is the Law of Attraction.

While the Law of Attraction is based upon the conscious mind in knowing what you desire, the subconscious mind plays an equal, if not more important, role. You could consciously want more money, but your subconscious mind may be working on a different agenda, potentially sabotaged by old belief systems, implanted societal fear, or simple unworthiness. This is why it is so important to be conscious of our subconscious. Using affirmations is a great way to re-program the subconscious mind is to be more in alignment with what you consciously want in your life.

An affirmation is a set of positive words or phrases repeated out loud, to yourself, or just set out in visual sight. The more the affirmation is repeated consecutively and over time, the more the subconscious is being programmed to believe it. For example, if you repeat an affirmation such as, “I attract abundance in all areas of my life,” your subconscious mind will take it as truth (as it has no filter) and the law of attraction will begin to bring you abundance. The amount of time it takes will depend on how engrained the current belief system being re-programmed is in your subconscious. Setting aside a specific time each day to repeat the affirmation, thereby making it a priority, is all the better since the Law of Attraction is steadily at work.

In Ancient Hindu practices, an affirmation, called a Mantra in Sanskrit, is repeated 108 times at least daily. This practice can be extremely powerful because of its ancient roots having been performed for thousands of years. Prayer, or mala, beads are often used to count the mantra 108 times. Furthermore, the language of Sanskrit was based more on energy than meaning so that each word carries a specific vibration or energy with it making even more powerful as it vibrates from and out of the body. Again, the Law of Attraction is always at work bringing to you that which you project out. So, for this reason, I have included a few Sanskrit mantras.

1. My Income is Increasing.
   

   Note: You always want each and every word of an affirmation to be positive. For example, “I will be rid of debt” only reinforces “debt”.
   

2. Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha (pron. OM SHREEM MAH-HA LAKSH-MEE-YEI SHAH-HA).
   

   This is the quintessential Sanskrit mantra for abundance! Shrim is the seed sound for abundance along with the goddess Lakshmi. Swaha is the divine feminine which is representative of receiving.
   

3. I am Open and Receptive to New Avenues of Income.
   

   This affirmation allows us to open our minds from becoming too tunnel-visioned. There are so many opportunites awaiting us if we just step outside our patterned ways of thinking.
   

4. Everything I Touch is a Success.
   

   Perfect for someone who is insecure about being self-employed or if you just want to boost sales!
   

5. Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha (pron. OM GUM GUH-NUH-PUH-TUH-YEI NAHM-AH-HA).
   

   This mantra is based around Ganesha, who in Vedic texts is known as the remover of obstacles. Thus, this is a powerful mantra in removing obstacles that may be preventing you from bringing in abundance.
   

6. There is Plenty for Everyone, Including Me.
   

   Note: The subconscious takes everything as truth. So, even if you don’t believe an affirmation it is still working. Given enough time, you will start to believe it.
   

7. I Now Create a Wonderful New Job.
   

   This is perfect for someone between jobs or someone seeking a better job.
   

8. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
   

   Nothing brings more to you than gratitude. Gratitude is the most powerful emotion in the Law of Attraction.
   

There are many different explanations of what ghosts are. Many believe ghosts are lost souls that are stuck in an in-between world not able to leave Earth, but not able to go to the Light either. Others believe that ghosts are nothing more than mental or emotional thought forms trapped as energy. This happens when strong mental impressions are created most likely by someone from a traumatic or emotional event. It then becomes a psychic impression that plays back over and over like a tape that gets more powerful as more people mentally ‘feed’ it.

On a similar note, these thought forms, or ghosts, can form by someone simply ‘picking up’ left over energy in a particular area. For example, if you have a heated argument with someone in an area of your home, this area will become more and more susceptible to future arguing due to the ‘left over’ energy. This is also the case with a positive event or ‘good’ memories. We’ve all experienced a time when we can still feel the energy of a loved one in a space even when they are no longer there. So perhaps the Indigo Girls were onto something when they they wrote, “I’m in love with your ghost.”

If you are living with a ghost that you no longer want or need, a space clearing is advisable to clear the energy. Feel free to post a comment, or contact me for further information. Also visit http://www.mindbodyhome.net/

1. You are selling a house and want to attract buyers.
2. Moving into a house and don’t want to live with the previous owner’s energy.
3. Want to know which area of your home is your Love & Relationships corner.
4. You want to jumpstart your Career.
5. You want to improve your Fame.
6. You want to increase your Wealth & Prosperity.
7. Needing to make big changes, but don’t want to buy anything new.
8. Simply don’t feel comfortable in your home.
9. Feel like your furniture should be arranged differently, but not sure how.
10. Need someone to tell your spouse to put the toilet lid down.
11. Need someone to motivate you to clear out clutter.
12. You’re buying new furnitue but not sure if it works.
13. You’ve run out of space and don’t know what to do.
14. You have too much space and don’t know what to do with it.
15. Feel tired, worn-out, fatigued.
16. Want to create a meditation space but now sure where.
17. Can’t afford to buy new home furnishings, but want a new look and feel.
18. Want to arrange your office to evoke more power.
19. You want to attract more customers to your business.
20. Not sure what colors to paint a room.
21. You have a ghost.
22. There is a section of your home that gives you a weird feeling.
23. You feel like something bad happened in your home.
24. Building a new home and want to make sure the lot sits auspiciously.
25. Need to remedy any poison arrows aimed at your house.
26. Can’t figure out why your house isn’t selling.
27. Want to learn the numerology for your home.
28. Need to know how to fill in the ‘missing corners’ of your home.
29. Find out where the most creative area of your home is.
30. Not sure where to hang mirrors.
31. Not sure where to hang pictures.
32. Designing a floor plan and want a good energy flow.
33. Renovating a room or adding on to your house.
34. Buying a house and want to make sure it has good feng shui.
35. Wondering if your electronic equipment is putting out bad chi.
36. Just recovered from an illness and need the energy cleared.
37. Ready for a new start in an area of your life and want to give it a boost.
38. Want to harness as much chi (earth energy) as possible.
39. Want to live in harmony with Mother Earth.
40. Find out how your accessories may be affecting you.
41. Want to bring in the Five Elements in your space.
42. Balance the yin and yang energies in your home.
43. Find out what exterior areas should be landscaped.
44. Learn the best plants or flowers to have at your front door.
45. You don’t like being home.
46. Need remedies for existing design or structural elements that are bad feng shui.
47. You had bodywork done recently and want your home to correlate with your renewed state.
48. You want to raise the vibration of your home or office.
49. Hosting a big party, open house, or important event and want it to feel great when people walk in.
50. After a hosting a big party, open house, or important event, you want it cleared of other people’s energy!

 With little to no movement in the real estate market these days, it is more and more apparent that we must make the best of the space we are currently in.  And, in doing so, it is important to designate a space in your home for retreating, centering, and meditating.  In other words, create a personal sanctuary. 

 This space can be any size — from a 2’ x 2’ corner to the size of your yoga mat to an entire room. 

 Designating this space for your personal use is important because each time you sit there, you automatically know that it’s time to go inward.  It’s similar to the automatic response your body gets when it hears the word ‘savasana’ in yoga.  At first, it’s just nice to have a place to retreat.  Then, after a while, it becomes a necessary part of your day.  

On an energetic level, that space will carry the same energy which builds and builds over time allowing you to go deeper each time.  It is no wonder that it is much easier to meditate in an ashram… the energy of meditators over years has built up to the point you can step in and immediately feel peaceful.

Here are you few tips to create your personal sanctuary.

 1. Location
Again, size doesn’t matter.  However, privacy does.  Choose a place in your home where you will not be disturbed by people or pets.  If it is a shared space with another person or activity, then using a partition rug or screen is recommended.   

 2. Clean and De-clutter
Once you have chosen your location, clear everything out of it and clean the area of any dust, dirt, or residue.  Also clear it energetically with sage, or any other herbal cleanser of your choice, such as cedar or sweetgrass.  A clear space is a clear mind.

  3. Energize
Next determine what you want in your space.  Perhaps a yoga mat, meditation cushion or chair, blankets.  Make it comfortable so that you will want to spend time there.  An altar table, whether it is a cardboard box or an heirloom piece from India, is highly recommended.  In other words, you want to have a centering piece.  Make it an altar where only inspiring and precious objects are placed. 

4. Personalize
From here, add any items that reflect you and appeal to the five senses…
candles, incense, bells, gemstones, crystals, images, essential oils, affirmation cards, books, music.

Once you have created your personal sanctuary, sit, relax, stretch, breathe, read, enjoy tea, meditate, or do anything that so inspires you.  There are no rules!

Since we live, breathe, eat, and work in our home, it becomes one of those environments where we start to lose objectivity of our surroundings.  Perhaps there is a lamp in the corner that you don’t particularly like, but have just gotten used to it to where you don’t even notice it anymore. Or do you?  Your conscious mind may not, but your subconscious mind certainly does notice it, remember it, and stores all memories and associations with that lamp. 

And so why does this matter? 

Your home may be lurking with subconscious minefields that are negatively programming your mind.   Do you have furniture that is broken or leaning?  What subconscious meanings are the images in pictures or artwork depicting?   Do you have items sitting around that you don’t really like, but feel you should keep for one reason or another?   Because our subconscious has no filter, it constantly picks up literal messages.  So, for example, a cracked mirror could distort the way you see yourself.  A desk with a wobbly leg can affect how you stand up for yourself.  And, of course, a cluttered desk or room always leads to a cluttered mind.

While these subconscious minefields are powerful, they are as easily changeable.  Plant positive imagery in the form of photos, artwork, or even affirmations around your home.  Any items that you don’t just love, get rid of them.  Start looking at your home consciously, instead of just subconsciously.  By changing the subconscious programs in your home or office, your life will change accordingly.   

For more information, visit www.mindbodyhome.net